Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-10-24
ELIHU B. WAsHBURNH.

In the death OF Blihu b. Washburne
one of the foremost Of American patriots
has been removed from the earthly stage
of action lie was born in Oxford county,
Maine, in 1916, and had therefore attained
the ripe old age Of II. His early educa-
ton was thorough. After some practical
experience in newspaper work, he read for
the bar, attended the Harvard law lectures,
went TO Illinois and, st Galena in 1912,
began practice in bis profession. He
at once attracted attention, won the regard
and esteem of the people, naturally was
drawn into political activities and within
brief time after his arrival in tho West
was sent TO the National Wing Convention
at Baltimore. He was elected TO Congress
in 1852, and seven times in succession
returned by the people by overwhelming
majorities 70 that body. He had no sooner
entered upon active public life than
he developed tho traits of leadership, and
never lost the power to command follow
Aht5" IN WI Ntltit lC iIdu DtGH
for years leader and an influence of
greatest moment, by resignation, to accept
the position Of Secretary of State, in 1869,
in the Cabinet of President Grant; he
was compelled by i'll health to relinquish
it soon after General Grant, who was
deeply attached TO him, and who owed
him much for his gallant political services
IN his behalf, thereupon nominated him as
United States Minister 10 France, and he
at once departed for his new post He
took possession Of his Office under the most
trying circumstances. The relations he,
tween France and Germany eliminated
IN war. After bitter struggle, Paris was
invested by the German army. Mr. Wash
burne had already been laboriously en-
gagged in protecting Germans and
shielding Americans, but was now
called upon, as the representative
Of the United States, to assume
the gravest responsibilities ever cast upon
an American Minister. He was the only
foreign Minister who remained at his post
during the memorable siege. Ii was fortu
nate that he had the courage and perceived
his duty so clearly, for he became the in
strument of great good, sucooring the Ger
mans within the walls, protecting them
from the enraged Parisians and extending
the flag over refugees who else would have
been butchered in the streets. lie brayed
the communists aud interposed the regaIia
of his office to save property and blood,
and to prevent massacre and outrage. He
did this at the peril of his own life, and
often when the slightest evidence of wayer-
ing would have resulted in terrible dis
aster. He was the one man in all Paris
who secured the high privilege during the
long siege of sending out and receiving
letters without inspection. Such conf
dence did he inspire among both French
and Germans that he was granted priv
leges that greatly enlarged his capacity to
mitigate the horrors of war, and to sucoor
the distressed. Americans in Paris in
those fearful days saw the Gag Of their
country in new light, and came TO almost
worship its folds. Mr. Washburne was an
eyewitness to all tho terrors of the seipe
OF the Commune, in which he himself
played a part that entities him TO be
ranked among philanthropists, and with
the most heroic If Americans. A man of
less courage, less clcarsightednoss Of duty
and weaker resolution, would have brought
disaster on himself, shame to the flag Of
his country, and ruin and death TO hun
dreds who gathered for shelter at his feet.
beneath the protecting folds of the
stars and stripes. The history of his
heroism would justify the thought
that MinistcF WaShturnc was chosen Of
heaven among all men to face that incar
nation Of cruelty, Regault the bloody head
Of the Commune, and before whom he
never quailed. He served his country in
France for very nearly nine years, and
during all that time no act of bis failed to
do honor to the nation he so ably repre-
sented. tie was not recalled from his post.
but asked relief which could not be de-
nied him, and returned to the United
States in 1873 to enjoy that rest in retire
ment which his busy life had denied him.
His later years were devoted to preparing
a work reviewing French history during
the eventful period Of his service abroad.
The book is Just out of press, and will take
on new importance by reason of his death
being 20 nearly Of even date with the issu-
ance of his recollecticEs of the German
French war Of 1870 and the Paris Com
mune. In all his public career-and
which covered the most eventful period oc
the nations later hIstory-Air. Washburne
Was a gallant and able champion Of the
cause of human freedom. He was on the
side of free soil and against slavery, of
Union and against secession. His was one
OF the iron hearts that defended an indis-
soluble union of sovereign States. in the
trying hours when the nations life was
asSailed, and it called for its devoted sons
to stand true to il in the councils of the
country and upon her battlefelds. He
enjoyed the high distinction of having pro-
neunced the word that called Ulysses :
Grant from obscurity and put him in the
fore front of the great struggle with rebel
hon. The death OF such ar American is
of more than passing moment, and the
announcement Of his deoease will be re-
oeiyed by all liberty lovers with deoner
stnse of loss than that of nero regret.
ZEE ALARM IN CHICAGO.
1t is reported that much fear is felt in